| abstract |
A method for electrochemically processing a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes performing a conditioning procedure on a processing pad having a plurality of process cells, energizing the process cells by applying a voltage to the conditioned processing pad, placing a substrate having at least a conductive layer disposed thereon on the energized pad, and removing at least a portion of the conductive layer in the energized process cells. In another embodiment, a method for polishing a substrate includes placing an unused conductive pad having a plurality of process cells on a platen of a processing system, breaking in the pad on the platen, energizing the process cells by applying a voltage to the broken-in pad, placing a substrate having at least a conductive layer disposed thereon on the energized pad, and removing at least a portion of the conductive layer in the energized cells. |